It has been a long time since I was on Skopelos and the bleak winters of Norway, though not much worse than some winters in Skopelos, are never ending.  There is a saying here Norway has two seasons ... a white winter and a green winter! The upside is I have had the very best medical attention ... really outstanding, so now I can come back to Skopelos with Annlaug for two months from end of May to end of July 2007.  

We have persuaded a Norwegian choir, with choirmaster, to come for training and rehearsals in Skopelos for a week. About 30+ people, think most will be staying at Alkystes (I am not in charge so I have no real idea where they are staying: I know they are coming end of June). They will end up doing a publice performance ... the music will be a melding of Greek and Norwegan chorale. (The Norwegian choir master is a friend of Theodarakis and was with him in Crete last year). Should be fun!. Mahi and Lisa at Madros Travel have done all the local work for this, including arranging side trips and finding a public place for the final peformance: really fantastic support!

Oh, and we are looking to buy either a traditional Skopelitan house (maybe it needs re-building) with a view, perhaps on west coast of island, or land for building. If anyone knows of anything, email me at sayyid.rifaat@gmail.com.

See you soon!